Metal parts on demand

RAMLAB’S MISSION STATEMENT

Industrial spare parts should always be available wherever they’re needed, whenever they’re needed. Next to that, they should also meet or exceed the end user’s quality requirements at a competitive price. Additive Manufacturing, specifically Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), has the potential to enable the wide-scale availability of on-demand certified metal parts. RAMLAB’s mission is to accelerate the adoption of WAAM technology by providing its partners with easy access to the entire value chain.

‘RAMLAB is more than 3D printing, it’s about being present.’– Royal IHC

Ramlab's network

RAMLAB is an initiative of three founding partners: Port of Rotterdam, InnovationQuarter and RDM Makerspace. To achieve its vision of manufacturing certified metal parts on demand through Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing, RAMLAB has built a powerful network of partners that provide hardware, software, and guidance on certification of the WAAM process. Also, RAMLAB has a growing list of end users that share the vision of Additive Manufacturing.

RDM Makerspace

RDM Makerspace is one of the initiators of RAMLAB and operates at the forefront of the digital fabrication revolution. By combining technical and operational know-how with keen business acumen it is the perfect operational partner towards market success.

InnovationQuarter

InnovationQuarter is one of the initiators of RAMLAB. It finances innovative and fast-growing companies, assists international companies in establishing their businesses in the west of the Netherlands, and facilitates (international) collaboration between innovative entrepreneurs, knowledge institutes and the government.

Port of Rotterdam

The Port of Rotterdam Authority is one of the initiators of RAMLAB. The objective of the Port of Rotterdam Authority is to enhance the port’s competitive position as a logistics hub and world-class industrial complex. Not only in terms of size, but also with regard to quality. The core tasks of the Port Authority are to develop, manage and exploit the port in a sustainable way and to render speedy and safe services for shipping.

Lincoln Electric

Valk Welding

Valk Welding develops and delivers robotic welding systems, which are intended for flexible production of small to medium-large series. It has provided RAMLAB with two Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing systems. Valk Welding is one of RAMLAB’s partners.

Huisman Equipment

Huisman Equipment is a leading innovator with extensive experience in the design and manufacturing of heavy construction equipment for the world's leading companies in the oil & gas, renewables and leisure markets.

Damen Shipyards

Koninklijke Marine

Koninklijke Marine (Royal Netherlands Navy) is the oldest of the four Services of the Netherlands armed forces and is deployed both at home and abroad for crisis management operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Voestalpine

Arhenkiel Steamship

Ahrenkiel Steamship is a technical ship management company located in Hamburg, Germany, with a branch office in Rhoon, Netherlands, managing its own fleet and those of selected customers. Arhenkiel Steamship is part of the MPC Capital Group.

Bekaert

Bekaert is a world market and technology leader in steel wire transformation and coatings.

Shell

Discover RAMLAB’s Roadmap

towards certified WAAM metal parts

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Industry’s requirements

Extensive market research carried out amongst RAMLAB’s members has clearly identified the immediate advantages: if large metal parts could be manufactured on demand through Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), lead times and inventory costs could be greatly reduced.

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Choice of technology – WAAM

At present, Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing, or WAAM, is the most suitable technology for the production of large metal parts. Therefore RAMLAB’s main focus is on WAAM technology. The lab currently has three WAAM systems at its disposal.

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Create 3D objects

Together with its partners, RAMLAB develops software that will make it possible to go from CAD to CAM to AM with the push of a button.

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Monitor & control – big data

The WAAM process is monitored and controlled with the help of Big Data / IoT solutions provided by our partners.